Post-polio syndrome (PPS), a progressive
neuromuscular syndrome that primarily affects women, occurs 10-40 years
after recovery from an acute polio infection. Risk for developing this
syndrome depends on initial damage to motor neurons during the polio
infection, which can lead to neurologic damage, muscle atrophy, pain,
weakness, and respiratory and speech impairments. Management of women
with PPS requires a multidisciplinary approach that entails both
pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies. Nurse practitioners may
not have learned about this disease during their educational years, or
they may have learned about it many years ago, and therefore require
up-to-date information about the clinical presentation of PPS in order
to lead a team that will manage these patients’ care and treatment
plans. The authors provide an overview of PPS with regard to
pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.
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